Radiator Pressure Tester

[mkirkpatrick]

I found one on Costco.com

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...ang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC22577-Cat21277&topnav=

I am not sure of CTA and what they are. The design looks similar to a Stant which looks like the OEM for snap on (could be wrong so don't start the flamming). It has the adapters that would cost another 90 bucks with the stant.

Just wanting to get your input. The snappy one is 190 and some change, comes with some of the common adapters, the stant kit is 70 and change and requires buy the adapters.

 

[Johnny chaos]

I have seen other CTA brand tools over the years at various retailers and they seem like a lower quality "house" brand. I think the Stant is only a little more money at tooltopia or some other vendors?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Yupp, I bought my stant from tooltopia..I think like $70 plus shipping..

 

[airbuff101]

M,
CTA Tools was always primarily a re-boxer with much of their line coming from Asia. I always thought of it as fair to middlin', although some was good stuff.
That one seems pretty pricey and I would skip it. (good thing is that Costco will give you a new one/cash back forever (it seems) if you are unhappy with it or it shits the bed.
Anywhoo,
You can't go wrong with Stant @ 70.00. Tried and true. Adapters always seem to run 25.00-50.00 and many will cover several related models.
How many different cars will you work on? Just family? or a shop ? If just a few brands the adaptor outlay won't be too bad.
The Aussy/Snap On set seems pretty decent if you just want to get the most coverage all at once. You may find it elsewhere for a bit less, yet Snappy will warr. more easily usually.
confused yet?
Rob

 

[fordbroncodave]

i think there is a 33 piece radiator pressure test kit new this month from ATD tools. retail price is $150

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Looking up the adapter for my honda for the stant is 83 bucks through tooltopia.The nice thing with the stant is you can look up the radiator cap and it will tell you what adapter is needed for the car. I also was looking at the pressure tester for the powerbleeder, but still keep coming back to the stant or the snappy. The stant won't fit anything that I work on without buying an adapter. Summitracing has one that looks exactly like the cta, stant, snappy but without the adapters. Is there anything I need to look out for if I buy a tester used? Don't use it in a shop, just myself, but I would like it to last and be able to expand with what i work on.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

i think there is a 33 piece radiator pressure test kit new this month from ATD tools. retail price is $150

Where is this?

 

[csargents1546]

I would go with a stant. I think you can also get them at Napa. We use them day in and day out with no problem

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Either the Stant or the SO will do the job. I bought my SO used for less than the Stant but I wouldn't count on getting one for that price....

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Either the Stant or the SO will do the job. I bought my SO used for less than the Stant but I wouldn't count on getting one for that price....

Thanks for your relpy, I have seen them on ebay and have been watching them for a few months, they vary greatly on price. Is there anything that I need to look at when buying a used one. The stant will run me around 150+ new with the two adapters that i will need to start out. I think that Snap on adapters will fit the stant and they are a little less. But for that money I was looking at the snappy, does that have a lifetime warranty too?

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Thanks for your relpy, I have seen them on ebay and have been watching them for a few months, they vary greatly on price. Is there anything that I need to look at when buying a used one. The stant will run me around 150+ new with the two adapters that i will need to start out. I think that Snap on adapters will fit the stant and they are a little less. But for that money I was looking at the snappy, does that have a lifetime warranty too?

Lifetime warranty on the unit and the adapters. Just watch out whether or not you are buying the composite ones or the chromes.

 

[ImportTuner]

The Stant has worked really well for me ...

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Was looking at the chromes, is one better than the other?

 

[scott37300]

I tried buying a stant off ebay and it said "in great working order". Recieved it and couldn't build any pressure. Unscrewed the head and found a ton of corossion and other **** and it actually had eaten threw the metal down by the gauge. The cup seal was also trash. Emailed seller and luckily he said to just keep it and he refunded me. So I was real leary buying another one off ebay.

I placed a wanted add in the classifieds on this forum and within a day there was a stant on it's way for 30 bucks shipped. I felt much better buying off someone on this forum than off someone on ebay that might not even know what a pressure tester is.

 

[Lotek]

It doesn't matter where you get the adaptors from, all the tools have the same fitting for older cars. Stant or Snapon are both good, I would be leery of buying used, had the valve on my Bluepoint start to leak down after 25 years or so, couldn't get it to seal, looked fine on the outside, so buyer beware. Ended up getting a Matco, which is a rebranded Stant, should last longer than me.

 

[HookWorse]

I already have a Stant, just got 4 adapters from CTA that were considerably cheaper than anyone else, and they are metal, seem to be good quality. The 4 I got should cover 80-90% of the vehicles out there.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Was looking at the chromes, is one better than the other?

I like the chromes but they are more expensive. I've never used the composite ones but some of the guys I know that have don't seen to have any problems.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

I tried buying a stant off ebay and it said "in great working order". Recieved it and couldn't build any pressure. Unscrewed the head and found a ton of corossion and other **** and it actually had eaten threw the metal down by the gauge. The cup seal was also trash. Emailed seller and luckily he said to just keep it and he refunded me. So I was real leary buying another one off ebay.

I placed a wanted add in the classifieds on this forum and within a day there was a stant on it's way for 30 bucks shipped. I felt much better buying off someone on this forum than off someone on ebay that might not even know what a pressure tester is.

It doesn't matter where you get the adaptors from, all the tools have the same fitting for older cars. Stant or Snap-on are both good, I would be leery of buying used, had the valve on my Bluepoint start to leak down after 25 years or so, couldn't get it to seal, looked fine on the outside, so buyer beware. Ended up getting a Matco, which is a re-branded Stant, should last longer than me.

Thanks, that is why I was asking about buying used. It's not like it is a wrench, stuff can not work and then your screwed. It looks like the design of all of them are similar to the Stant, I was wondering if the snappy adapters will fit on the Stant and visa versa.

I like the chromes but they are more expensive. I've never used the composite ones but some of the guys I know that have don't seen to have any problems.

Thanks GH I was leaning toward the metal ones but if the composite will fit then there won't be any chance of corrosion, and the snap on version. I am think I am leaning toward the Snap On, but that will take a little saving. The more I look at this tool the more I see value in it for diagnosing.

 

[rodm1]

See if you can find one with a psi bleed of. unless you like coolant all over everything. I think mastercool sells one.

 

[Danglerb]

I bought the basic Stant from Tooltopia, and the adapters I needed from Advanced Auto parts using some of those FAT coupon codes, BIG40 I think ($40 off $100). My only complaint is that the nice case the Stant comes in won't hold even a single additional adapter.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

thanks everyone, I will keep looking, I have never heard of CTA, I don't think that it is worth it. Not drinking the koolaid, but for the extra money the warranty on the Snap on is worth it. Guess I will keep looking.